Christmas Eve in Russia is called the Eve of the Nativity of Christ. On this day, believers are preparing for the great holiday, many go to solemn services.
The history of the origin of the holiday
Greek Catholics, like Orthodox Christians, celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6th.
Christmas Eve is called the Eve of the Nativity of Christ, which Catholics and Protestants celebrate according to the Gregorian calendar - December 24, and the Orthodox - according to the Julian calendar, January 6. The name of the holiday comes from the word "sochivo": this was the name for the grains of wheat, lentils or rice soaked in seed (nut, almond, hemp or poppy) juice with honey. In the old days, the Church Rule prescribed the use of this dish on Christmas Eve and the Eve (the eve of the Epiphany) in imitation of the fast of the prophet Daniel and the three youths.
Christmas Eve ends the forty-day Filippov Lent before Christmas and is the day of preparations for the holiday. On this day, believers should refuse food until the first star appears in the sky. This tradition refers to the legend of the Star of Bethlehem, which heralded the birth of Jesus. However, this tradition is absent in the Church Charter.
According to the Typicon, one should fast until the end of Vespers.
The early Christians did not know Christmas Eve, and for them Christmas was a less significant holiday than Easter. Christmas Compline was established to be celebrated in the 4th century. In the period from the 5th to the 8th centuries, a number of sacred hymns were written; among their authors, one should single out Kozma Mayumsky, John Damascene, Anatoly and Sophronius of Jerusalem.
Christmas Eve Traditions
On Christmas Eve, families would dress in their finest outfits, tidy up their homes, prepare holiday meals, and set the table. In the center of the table, covered with a snow-white tablecloth, a composition of spruce branches and candles was placed. Although Christmas was originally a family holiday, there was a custom to invite neighbors and bystanders, including beggars, to the table. It was believed that the Lord Himself could appear in the guise of a barefoot that evening. Pets and stray animals were also congratulated with Christmas: a bowl with treats was displayed for them in the yard or behind the threshold.
Among the Slavs, Christmas Eve traditionally opened Christmas weeks, and in the evening it was possible to start carols. Caroling is a verbal ritual, the participants of which came to visit the neighboring houses, performed special congratulatory or magnificant sentences and received treats in response to them. Both adults and children, laymen and clergymen went to carols. It is worth noting that the Christmas carols have pagan roots, and the purpose of the ritual was to obtain high yields, increase the number of livestock and achieve well-being in the family.
